Françoise Combes

Françoise Combes is a Professor at the Collège de France, holding the Chair of Galaxies and Cosmology since 2014. She is also an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris and a member of the LERMA laboratory. Her research focuses on galaxy formation, dark matter, and cosmic evolution. Combes earned her PhD in 1980 from Paris VII University and has held prestigious positions including Deputy Director of the Physics Laboratory at the École Normale Supérieure (1985–1989) and President of the French Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics (2002–2004). She has received numerous awards, including the 2020 CNRS Gold Medal and the 2021 L'Oréal-UNESCO International Prize for Women in Science.

Her work explores the interplay between galaxies and supermassive black holes, molecular gas dynamics, and the role of dark matter in cosmic structures. Combes has authored influential books such as La Matière Noire, Clé de l'Univers and contributed to major observational projects using telescopes like ALMA and the James Webb Space Telescope. She actively advocates for gender equality in science and has held leadership roles in international organizations like the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Combes' research spans galaxy dynamics, cosmological simulations, and the evolution of galactic structures. Her recent studies investigate molecular gas in high-redshift galaxies, dark matter distribution, and the environmental impacts on galaxy formation. She has also been involved in shaping policies for astronomical research infrastructure and education.

Key awards highlight her contributions: the 2023 Oort Lecture Prize, election to the US National Academy of Sciences, and the 2017 Jules Janssen Medal. Her academic activities include teaching advanced courses on dark matter, galaxy clusters, and the epoch of reionization at the Collège de France.